Steam-valve.



No. 821,867. PATENTED MAY 29', 1906.

' A. H. PARMER.

STEAM VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 29, 1905,

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41 W ALB RT H R( FARMER, %7% m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIk E.

STEAM-VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

Application filed August 29, 1905. Serial No. 276,227.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT HENRY FAR- MER, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Devonport, Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Steam-Valves; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction of steam-valves, by means of which the valve may be operated to open or close at a distance therefrom and which should any leak or escape of steam occur in the pipes controlled by the valve such valve will be automatically closed, so as to shut off the supply of steam.

The invention consists mainly in the combination, with the valve and valve-rod, of a piston secured upon the rod and working in'a cylinder formed continuously with the valvechamber. Means are provided whereby steam at full pressure may be admitted to the bottom side of the piston, so as to cause the valve to be opened. The pressure of the steam upon the piston will then retain the valve in the open condition. Means are provided that when such pressure is lessened by an escape or leakage in the pipes will force the valve down onto its seat to close it. Means are also provided by which steam may be admitted to the top side of the piston, so as to equalize the pressure on both sides thereof, and thus allow the means previously mentioned for forcing the valve down to shut the valve and stop the supply of steam.

In order that the invention may be properly understood, reference will be made to the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a valve constructed according to this invention and illustrating one form of means for forcing the valve down onto its seat. Fig. 2 is a sec tional elevation of an alternative construction of valve in which other means for forcing the valve down are shown. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof; and Fig. 4 is a sectional plan of a four-way cook, the purpose of which will be hereinafter fully referred to.

Referring first to the form of valve shown in Fig. 1, the appliance consists of the casting (1, provided with the ordinary valvechamber 1) and valve-seat c and is-adapted to be fastened upon a boiler d or other steam vessel or connection. The casting a is formed with an open top and with a branch opening a, to which the service-pipe f is connected. Upon the open top of the casting a is secured a short cylinder g, the inside face of which is made uniform with the top end of the valve-chamber b. This cylinder may, if desired be formed in one with such chamber or may be adapted to the-chamber of a valve as at present constructed.

A piston h fits within such cylinder, anda rod passes through the center of the piston and is secured thereto by any approved means. To the bottom end of the rod the valve 7c, adapted to rest upon and cover the seat 0, is secured. The upper end of the rod j passes up through a stufIing-box Z in the top cover m of the cylinder g.

Fastened to the top of the cylinder-cover m are a number of pillars n, that support a plate 0, a space being left between such plate and the cylinder-cover. A sleeve p, that loosely surrounds the top end of the rod 7', is screwed through the center of this plate 0, and is thus capable of vertical movementin regard thereto. Awheel-handle 1" is secured upon the top end of the sleeve, by which it may be turned to raise or lower it.

A spring 8 is loosely threaded upon the valve-rod 7' between the cover m and the plate 0, and its upper end loosely surrounds the lower end of the sleeve 1). The bottom end of this spring rests upon a plate t, that is screwed upon or otherwise rigidly secured to the rod in such a manner as to be capable I of vertical adjustment thereon. In the drawings it is shown as being screwed there on and provided with a lock-nut u for locking it in the desired position. The top end of the spring 8 engages with the under side of the plate 0. The spring, being in compression, will cause a downward tendency to be given the rod and valve is. The amount of compression may be regulated at will by altering the position of the bottom plate t.

A small plate to is secured to the rod and is loosely encircled by the spring 8. The bottom end of the sleeve 1) rests upon this plate, so that when the sleeve is screwed down the rod will be forced down with it.

A four-way cock 2, the construction of which is shown in detail in Fig. 4, is provided. From this cock lead four pipesa pipe 3, that enters the casting a at a point below the valve-seat, a pipe 4,that enters such casting at a point below the piston h, a pipe 5, that enters the cylinder 9 at a point above thepiston, and a waste-pipe 6. The plug of this cock is formed with a passage 7 therein, which is capable of connecting together the openings into any two of the pipes leading from the cook. The plug is operated'by means of a wheel 8', over which runs a chain 9, that leads to any desired point. By pull-- ing uponthis chain for a certain distance the pipes 3 and 4 may be connected. By continuing the pull the ipes 3 and 5 may be connected together, an by still further continuing it the pipes 5 and 6 may be connected.

In operatlon to open the valve the cock 2 is turned so as to connect the two pipes 3 and 4. Steam will then pass from beneath the valve-seat through these ipes and into the valve-chamber beneath tiie piston h. The pressure of such steam upon the piston in conjunction with the pressure of steam beneath the valve itself will cause the iston and valve to-rise. As the valve rises t e rod 1' will rise also. This will have the effect of compressing the spring 8 to a greater degree, so that its tendency to force the valve down will be increased. Should any leakage or escape of steam occur in the pipes leading from the valve, the pressure of steam within the valve-chamber, and the consequent upward pressure upon the piston 72,, will be reduced.

This reduction of the pressure will remove the hindrance to the downward action of the spring 8. Such s ring will therefore at once force the rod and valve down, so as to shut off the su ply of steam.

The va ve may be closed in the ordinary Way by screwing down the sleeve 1) in the manner before described; but should it be desired to close the valve at'a distance therefrom the chain 9 is pulled on so as to cause the cock 2 to be turned and connection to be made between the pipes 3 and 5. This will cause steam to pass from the casting a-to the cylinder 9 above the piston. Thus the pressure of the steam upon both sides of the piston will be equalized, and the restraint upon the downward push of the spring 8 Will be removed, thereby permitting such s ring to close the valve. The steam within the cylinder above the piston may afterward be allowed to escape by turning the cock 2 still further, so as to cause the pipes 5 and 6 to be connected together.

In the form of valve shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the spring 8, with its parts, and the sleeve 1) are dlspensed with. The top end of the rod j is screwed and the wheel 1" corres ondingly threadedupon it. Inthis form t e rod 1' is depressed by turning the wheel 1", which by reason of its engagement beneath the plate 0 will force the rod 9' down.

A chamber or cylinder 10 is formed in one with or connected to the valve-chamber b in such a manner that such cylinder 10 shall be in constant open connection with the steamsu ply beneath the valve-seat 0. Within the cyiinder 10,. which is made of smaller diameter than the cylinder 9, fits the piston 11,

from the to of which a rod 12 leads upward through a c osed end of such cylinder. This piston is made of greater diameter than that of the valve is. A rocking beam 13 is pivoted at its middle to a pillar n on the top of the valve, and its two ends are articulated to the respective top ends of the piston-rods j and 12. Thus when one piston is raised the other is depressed, and vice versa.

A cock 2 and pipe connections 3, 4, 5, and 6, similar to those already described, are employed and connected with the same parts of the valve, saving that the pipe 3, instead of leading from below the valve-seat, leads out from the cylinder 10 at a point below the pis ton 11.

In operating this valve it is opened by turning the cock 2 to the position admitting steam from the cylinder 11 to beneath the piston h in the cylinder g. It is closed in the ordinary manner by screwing down the rod j in the way before described. Should a leakage or escape of steam in the pipes occur sufficient to reduce the pressure of steam in the valve-chamber and the consequent upward pressure upon the piston h, then the full pressure of steam acting upon the under side of the piston 11 will cause such piston to be raised, thereby raising the end of the rocking beam 13, connected to it and depressing the other end so as to force down the rod j and close the valve. The piston 11, being of lar er area than the valve is, will thus keep suc valve closed. In like manner when the steam is caused to pass into the cylinder 9 above the piston h by turning the cock 2 to equalize the pressure above and below the piston the full the piston 11 wi cause the valve to be closed and kept closed so long as the steam is within the upper end of the cylinder g. i

It will be seen that the valve may be controlled atany distance away from it in an effective and easy manner, the chain 9 operat ing the cock 2 being continued to any point desired. The automatic closing of the valve is also insured immediately the pressure of the steam in the valve-chamber falls below the normal pressure of the supply.

The spring 8 may be adjusted to close the valve when any particular degree of difference in pressure obtains. In like manner the area of the piston 1 1 will be regulated so as to close the valve at a certain degree of difference in pressure upon the two pistons; but such piston must always be of less area than the piston h to provide for the valve opening and remaining open under ordinary circumstances and of greater area than the valve 7c to provide for the requisite diiference' of steam-pressure upon them to close the valve.

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the 1pressure of the steam upon valve-chamber and connected thereto, a pis- 1 below the valve-seat, a piston fitting within ton in such cylinder, a rod connected with such piston, a valve smaller than the piston and arranged to move therewith, steam-pipes leading into the cylinder at points above and below the piston, a steam-pipe leading from the valve below the valveseat, a four-wa y 3 block connected to all of such pipes, and

adapted to make connections between any two of them, and means whereby the cock may be operated at any distance therefrom, as and for the purpose specified.

2. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the valve-chamber and connecting therewith, a piston fitting within such cylinder, a valverod connected at its bottom end to the valve, passing upward through and secured to the piston and through and beyond the cylindercover, a spring in compression bearing at its top end against a plate fixed above the valve and at its bottom end upon a plate fixed on the rod, and a sleeve screwing through the fixed plate above the cylinder and resting at its bottom end upon a collar secured upon the rod, substantially as specified.

3. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the valve-chamber'and connecting therewith, a piston fitting within such cylinder, a valverod connected at its bottom end to the valve, passing upward through and secured to the piston and through and beyond the cylindercover, a spring in compression bearing at its top end against a plate fixed above the valve and at its bottom end upon a plate fixed on the rod, a sleeve screwing through the fixed plate above the cylinder and resting at its bottom end upon a collar secured upon the rod, and means whereby steam may be conducted from below the valve-seat to the cylinder at points alternately above or below the piston within such cylinder, substantially as specified.

4C. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the valve-chamber and connected therewith, a piston fitting within such cylinder, a valverod passing through and secured to the piston, the bottom of which is connected to the valve while its top end projects outside of the cover of the cylinder, a second cylinder in open connection with the valve, at a point said cylinder, a rod passing upward from such piston, and outside of the cylindercover, and a rocking beam pivoted upon the valve-cover and having its respective ends articulately connected with the valve-rod and second piston-rod at points outside of the valve-cover, substantially as specified.

5. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the valvechamber, and connected therewith, the piston fitting within sueh'cylinder, a valverod passing through and secured to the piston, the bottom end of which is connected to a valve while its top end'projects outside of the cover of the cylinder, a second cylinder formed parallel with the valve-chamber and. in open connection with the valve, at a point below the valve-seat, a piston fitting within such cylinder, a rod passing upward from such piston, and outside the cylinder-cover, a rocking beam pivoted above the valvecover and having its respective ends articulately connected with the valve-rod and a second piston-rod at points above the valvecover, and means whereby the steam may be conducted from below the valve-seat into the cylinder above the valve-chamber to points alternately below or above the piston therein, substantially as specified.

6. In steam-valves, a cylinder above the valve-chamber and connecting therewith, a

piston in such cylinder, a rod passing through such piston and fastened thereto, a valve connected to the bottom end of the rod, said valve being smaller than the piston, means whereby steam may be admitted to the cyl inder from below the valve-seat alternatively to points above or below the piston, means, separate from the piston and valve, for normally pressing the valve down upon its seat, and means, outside of the valve-body, for adjusting the valve, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification'in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT HENRY FARMER.

Witnesses:

H. ALEXANDER, G. T. Wrx. 

